NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK
The third week of September is National Farm Safety & Health Week. It’s timed for this week because it’s about the same time that farmers take to the fields working tirelessly to get their crops in for the year. It’s also the season when many farm accidents happen. Sometimes they occur in the grain bin, on the highway or in the field.
In an average year, between 400 and 500 farmers will be killed. Nonfatal injuries happen to about a third of the farm population annually.
Among the safety topics that are stressed this week include the most deadly subject, tractor safety & rural roadway safety. Half the farm fatalities reported each year are from transportation incidents.
Other topics stressed this week include safety and health for youth on farms, and women working on farms. The week also reminds farmers to take care of themselves and not neglect food, sleep, or regular medication they may take.
Another essential reminder focuses on farmers with large amounts of acreage requiring more travel. It’s crucial farmers know the physical 911 address for each location. One solution is to keep a list of farm addresses in each farm vehicle. This tool speeds up the response time of an ambulance or fire truck.
Farm safety organizations remind farmers:
- In the field, be visible with bright colored and reflective clothing.
- On the road, make sure equipment has sufficient lighting, reflective tape, reflectors, and a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) signs.
- In each vehicle, have at least two fire extinguishers, one outside and one inside.
HOW TO OBSERVER #FarmSafetyAndHealthWeek
Visit the National Education Center for Agricultural safety https://www.necasag.org/
Use #FarmSafetyAndHealthWeek or #FarmSafety to connect on social media.
NATIONAL FARM AND RANCH SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK HISTORY
Initiated in 1944 by the National Safety Council, the annual promotion has been proclaimed by each sitting U.S. President.
The National Farm Safety & Health Week campaign shifted to the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. It is the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council and has been serving families and businesses in agriculture since 1997.